Senior Control Systems Engineer
Our client, a leading provider of rotary friction welding machines throughout Europe, is seeking an experienced and strategic Senior Control Systems Engineer to join their team in Kingswinford, West Midlands. Established in 2005, the Kingswinford facility is integral to the global operations of this company, which has been at the forefront of friction welding solutions since 1926. With a strong presence across the United Kingdom, United States, Slovakia, and India, our client provides essential welding solutions to industries such as Aerospace, Automotive, Military, Oil & Gas, and Mining.
Position Overview
As a Senior Control Systems Engineer, you will play a key role in designing, documenting, integrating, and maintaining electrical and software systems for custom-built friction welding machines. This role requires a deep understanding of special-purpose machinery design, along with expertise in electrical, pneumatic, hydraulic, and mechanical systems. You will collaborate with a cross-functional team to develop and implement control systems that optimize machine performance and meet customer specifications.
This position offers the unique opportunity to work on cutting-edge technology, with machines deployed across the globe. You will have the chance to travel both domestically and internationally, engaging directly with customers to ensure optimal machine operation and customer satisfaction.
Key Responsibilities
- Collaborate with engineers across disciplines to design and implement control systems for friction welding machines.
- Develop, code, test, and debug system software, ensuring seamless machine start-up and operation.
- Integrate and validate new product designs while supporting software QA processes.
- Interpret control system requirements from customer specifications and translate them into technical and electrical documentation.
- Design Human Machine Interface (HMI) programs for machine control and develop machine sequence flow charts.
- Provide technical support to service technicians and customers, offering guidance on troubleshooting and system optimization.
- Contribute to the development and improvement of controls programming standards and methods.
Ideal Candidate Profile
The ideal candidate is a highly skilled technical expert with strong communication skills, a detail-oriented mindset, and the ability to work independently. You should be self-motivated, results-driven, and ready to travel as needed. A solid work ethic and a commitment to maintaining high standards of professionalism and customer service are essential.
Required Skills
- Proficiency in programming languages and methods such as Ladder Logic and ST/SCL for machine control.
- Experience with Siemens and Allen-Bradley safety control systems, ensuring compliance with ISO machine design and safety standards.
- Ability to create, read, and edit electrical schematics, wiring diagrams, and panel layouts.
- Strong communication skills and the ability to work independently with minimal supervision.
- Willingness to travel both domestically and internationally.
Preferred Skills
- Experience with PLC/Motion Control Programming platforms (Simotion Scout, Logix Designer/Studio 5000, TIA Portal).
- HMI Design experience with platforms such as WinCC, FactoryTalk View Studio, and FactoryTalk Optix.
- Familiarity with SINUMERIK configuration and ePLAN for electrical schematic design.
- Expertise in S7-GRAPH / Sequential Function Chart programming.
Benefits
- Private Medical Insurance
- Flexible working schedule
- Paid time off and holidays
- Tuition reimbursement for continuing education
- Employee Assistance Program
This is an exciting opportunity for a skilled Senior Control Systems Engineer to join a company at the forefront of friction welding technology, with a chance to contribute to groundbreaking projects and work with leading global industries.